Private tour in Kobe Ichiro F
4.8
(15) reviews
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Ichiro F.
4.9
Guide rating
45
Reviews
Tours delivered
6 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello! I'm Ichiro F., a government-certified English guide based between Osaka and Kobe. I guide primarily in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe, and Himeji. Since starting my career in March 2023, I have already had the pleasure of leading over 370 tours. ■About Me: After a 37-year career in the IT industry, I retired in 2019 to pursue my second act. Although my previous job didn't involve English, I have been passionately learning the language on my own for nearly 50 years. Combined with my love for Japanese history and reading, becoming a guide was the perfect path for me. I was born and grown up in Osaka. When 18, moved to Tokyo. Lived there until 60 and moved back to a city near Osaka. ■My Journey: I received my license in February 2020, right before the pandemic. While I had to wait three years to start guiding, I used that time productively to deepen my knowledge of Japan and explore Kyoto and its surroundings extensively. ■Why Guide with Me? I am now fully active, guiding 10 to 15 days a month. I love sharing the beauty of Japan’s four seasons and its deep history with my guests. Whether it’s the bustling streets of Osaka or the historical quiet of Kyoto, I am confident I can give you the best experience. ■My spare time - Reading books about Japan, history, nature, and more—both fiction and nonfiction - Practicing diving (springboard and platform) as well as gymnastics - Doing IT programming to streamline my business tasks - Exploring Kyoto and other regions to broaden my guiding range - Teaching English to Japanese businesspeople online ■Certificates/Experience - Itinerary Manager - Competition Official (Diving) - IT programming: Excel VBA, GAS, PHP, Ajax, Javascript, Python - Author of an English-learning book for working professionals (commercial publication) - Gold Driver’s License (no accidents or violations) - - - Guest Review Highlights (You can read the full reviews below.) Ichiro was a wonderful, knowledgeable and friendly guide by Marek M. Ichiro-san was extremely communicative and well prepared with maps and illustrations by Hap P. Ichiro organized a perfect one-day Kyoto plan and helped us navigate trains smoothly by Denise L. Ichiro listened to our needs and helped us visit all our bucket list items with ease by Lori H. Ichiro was outstanding—timely, organized, friendly, and full of helpful explanations by Megan N. Ichiro tailored our tour to our interests and was knowledgeable and charming by Antonia S. The tour was well planned and Ichiro was professional, knowledgeable, patient, and kind by William P. Ichirosan was fantastic—well-versed, prepared, and guided us to fascinating hidden treasures by Yukiko K. Ichiro developed a smooth Kyoto itinerary and explained each site’s history clearly by Kirk W. Ichiro created a perfect custom itinerary and was exceptionally professional throughout by Frank D. We spent two wonderful days with Ichiro visiting Kobe and Kyoto highlights by Faye W. Ichiro was flexible, very knowledgeable, and helped us escape boring bus tours by Bruce B. Ichiro researched and arranged a special vegetarian lunch and customized our Kyoto tour by Mayuresh K. Ichiro was very knowledgeable and even reserved an award-winning Kobe steak restaurant for us by Ken H. Our night tour with Ishiro was magical and unforgettable by Joan M. --- Japan Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English), Cert. No: EN01491 (Hyogo Pref.) I am not a driver. But I can arrange private vehicles.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Ichiro F.
Traveling from Kobe to Kyoto via the Shinkansen Bullet Train is the best way to explore Kyoto from Kobe Port. This service connects Kobe and Kyoto in just 30 minutes and departs every 15 minutes. Additionally, the express fare is less than 2, 000 yen each way. You can also rely on the precise timing of the trains. The base plan runs from 9 AM to 5 PM, starting and ending at Kobe Port, allowing you a full six hours to explore Kyoto. The model itinerary includes visits to Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. However, this tour is fully customizable. If you have other destinations in mind, please feel free to request a personalized itinerary. I sometimes guide bus tours from Kobe Port to Kyoto, where four out of the eight-hour duration are spent on the bus. I understand that accommodating around 30 people in one group often necessitates this much travel time. However, smaller groups can enjoy a far more time-effective itinerary.
Start at Kobe port - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) - Fushimi Inari Shrine End at Kobe Port I can customize this tour according to your preferences. For example: - Nijo Castle - Kiyomizu Temple - Nishiki Market (food tour) - Monkey Park - Hozu Valley Observatory - Nanzenji Temple and Suirokaku Water Bridge Please feel free to request customization.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
I can also arrange a private car. --- 1. b/w Kobe Port & Shin-Kobe sta.: taxi around 1,500 yen 2. b/w Shin-Kobe sta. & Kyoto sta.: Shinkansen Bullet Train 2,870yen/each (incl express service fee) 3. within Kyoto city: 1,000 to 2,000 yen (ocationally use taxi to save time) Shinkansen Bullet Train connects Kobe and Kyoto within 30 min., really time effective. ( Hier-car will take full 2 hours, even when traffic condition is not bad)
Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
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15 reviews
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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